Energizer: Strange animals

Energizer steps

Step 1

Warm up: Ask the adolescents to sit in a circle and to count off in threes. Ask each adolescent to remember their number, (one, two, or three).

Step 2 

Facilitator says: “Remember your number. Now you are going to make drawings with the two other people sitting next to you.”

Step 3

Give the ‘ones’ a piece of paper.

Facilitator says: “Your job is to fold the piece of paper that you and your group will use to make your drawing.”

Step 4

Hold up the paper and demonstrate as you explain.

Step 5

Facilitator says: “Fold your paper into three equal rectangles. Fold the short way, so that you have three fat rectangles, not three long, skinny rectangles. You should have a piece of paper with four thin rectangles.

“Keep the paper folded up.

• Ones, you are going to start the drawing at the top of the paper.
• Twos and Threes, please close your eyes.
• Ones, you should draw the head and neck of an animal. It can be any animal, even an imaginary one. Only draw the head and the neck, not rest of the body.”

Give the Ones three minutes to complete their drawing.

Step 6

Facilitator says: “When you are done, fold the paper again the way it was folded before, and hold it with the middle part up so that the others can’t see your drawing.”

“Now, pass your paper to person number two sitting beside you.

• Ones and Threes, close your eyes.
• Twos, your job is to draw the body and arms (or front legs) of the animal.
• Keep the paper folded – and don’t peek at the drawing of the head! It won’t be as much fun if you know what’s there!
• Now, draw the body and arms or front legs of an animal. You can try to connect the lines with the drawing of the animal’s neck but no peeking!”

Give the Twos three minutes to complete their drawing.”

Step 7

Facilitator says: “When you are done, fold the paper again the way it was folded before, and hold it with the bottom part up so that the others can’t see your drawing.” Pass it to the Three in your group.

Facilitator says: “Now, it’s your turn Threes! Your job is to draw the legs and feet of this animal. Go ahead and start drawing any kinds of legs and feet you like. You can also try to connect the lines with the drawing of the animal’s body, but no peeking!”

Step 8

Once the Threes have finished drawing, ask the groups to look at the drawings.

Facilitator says: “Take three minutes with your group and try to come up with a name for the animal you have drawn.”

Step 9

Conclude by asking each group to take turns presenting their animal to the rest of the circle.